The Roman Days event at Marietta Mansion in Maryland, US is one of the oldest and largest Roman gatherings on this side of the water. Nova Roma was founded there in 1998 (yes, this next one would be its tenth year of attendance); several visitors to the event have been inspired to raise reenactor Legions themselves; and they as well as other Romani have always taken advantage of the opportunity to do serious (and fun!) face-to-face business.

The event is undergoing some changes, in both timing and location. I have this today from Quintus, mka Matthew Amt of Legio XX:ROMAN DAYS 2008

Due to a change in management following Susan Wolfe's retirement, it looks like we may be losing the use of Marietta Mansion, at least for Roman Days. So there will be some CHANGES. The next Roman Days will probably be the last weekend in September, 2008 (not June), at a park in Northern Virginia. Richard and Deb have been working in concert with the Fairfax County Latin Teachers Association, whose members are very enthusiastic about helping out with a site, funding, and more. The discussion is on the Roman Days list, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romandays/ . (Message archives are public.)

I now have dates and details for Roman Days:September 26, 27 and 28 (Friday through Sunday), 2008

"Activities go on rain or shine. There are period tents as well as modern tents to shelter visitors from the elements. Concessions available on site. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 4-18. Although the location is still under consideration, it will be in northern Virginia in concert with the community of Latin high school teachers and programs." There are a Web site, a Yahoo list, and even a Wiki devoted to this gathering; anyone who wants to attend, volunteer, help plan, or just stay on top of it can visit...

Na, as of the Id. Feb. issue of Legio XX's newsletter, the Adlocutio, the site has yet to be determined. They were still discussing it on the Yahoo list, dunno about now. However, another Adlocutio should be coming out in the next few days; after all, they publish these things on the Ides, and--The Ides of March Approacheth! >({|;-)

The March Adlocutio just came out...and still no definite location for Roman Days. They're talking to a group of Latin teachers; and, like our attempts to coordinate the Feriae Latinae with Nova Roma, the involvement of third parties is probably part of the reason for the delay. Worth the wait from the Legion's standpoint, though, as the teachers' association will be providing funding and the site.

You might try checking their Yahoo list from time to time; message archives are public.

I haven't received an Adlocutio since March...dunno why that is, but I finally got desperate enough to check a few other places. This was posted on the [RomanDays] Yahoo group by the event coordinator on 22 Mai:From: Richard CampbellSubject: Looks like we have a site!

Many thanks to Susan Schultze of GMU and Amy High [School], and it looks like we have a site at George Mason University for Roman Days in September. I will speak with the events office shortly and let you know the details.Mi Timave, is that anywhere near you? Lupini Curator, is that somewhere you could get to on a long weekend? >({|:-)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*To all reenactors out there, we want everything from the Iceman to the 5th century AD. Romans, Gauls, Greeks, Iberians, Persians, Germans, Samnites, Etruscans, Thracians, Numidians, more Romans, and all the rest. The focus as usual will be on general living history and public education, but there is growing talk about sparring with needlefelt weapons or other such activities. The artillery range (the west field) is unfortunately smaller than we'd like, but we do plan to shoot there. (We're hoping to talk George Mason into a larger space for next year!) Bring your catapultae and ballistae! We're still fiddling with how to lay out the encampment area, but there should be plenty of space for all our tents and displays.

Remember, you do NOT have to be a reenactor to participate! We can accommodate wargamers, scholars, and general enthusiasts as well. A variety of kids' activities and educational displays are planned.

The new site is a pair of grassy fields at the intersection of Patriot Circle and George Mason Boulevard, at the north side of the main campus. (Search Google Maps with the address 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, and the pointer will be one block north and one block west of the fields.) This is about 2 blocks east of Ox Road, VA Route 123.

From the Capital Beltway in Virginia, I-495, EITHER take Little River Turnpike Rt. 236 West about 5 miles, turn left on Ox Rd., then go about 2/3 of a mile and turn left on University Drive; OR take Braddock Rd. Rt. 620 West about 5 miles, turn RIGHT on Ox Rd., then go about 2/3 of a mile and turn RIGHT on University Drive. Then go 2 blocks and turn right on George Mason Blvd. Parking will probably be in the lot on your left, but we will confirm that. The site is straight ahead, one block. There may also be a fee for parking, but hopefully not for participants--we'll try to let you know as soon as possible.

The Fairfax County Latin Teachers Association is heavily involved, and will be arranging for a few hundred high school students to attend. In fact they plan to come on Friday, so we are setting up a special program for that, involving whomever is available to participate. We have also gotten a positive response from Eta Sigma Phi, the national Classics honor society (with chapters at a number of local colleges and universities). So right off the bat we are sure to get a much larger audience than we have had in years past.

We will not have a food vendor for the public there, but there are many places to eat on campus. Reenactors may certainly provide their own food, of course. We can cook on stoves but no ground fires. The nearby campus buildings have bathrooms! There are also several good hotels nearby, for those far from home who do not plan to camp. Alcohol is only allowed if we have a permit from the Events Office. Please do not carry any weapons outside of our camp and demonstration areas.

Apologies for the delay in getting the website updated! There's been an awful lot going on behind the scenes, as it were. Changing the event to a new site has been much more difficult than we'd imagined. But hang in there! Roman Days WILL happen!Enough to go on, Lupini Timaveque? >({|:-)